GAITHERSBURG, Md., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MedImmune, Inc.
(Nasdaq: MEDI) announced today that FluMist (Influenza Virus Vaccine Live,
Intranasal) has been included in the federal government's Vaccines for
Children (VFC) program as an alternative to the injectable flu vaccine
beginning in the 2005-2006 influenza season. As a result of this vote by the
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices (ACIP), healthy children ages 5 to 18 years who meet
the eligibility requirements of the VFC program may receive FluMist at no cost
next season.
"The addition of FluMist to the VFC program is an important step in
ensuring that more children have access to the benefits of newly recommended
vaccines," said Caroline York, vice president, government affairs and
reimbursement, at MedImmune. "We are pleased to join in the nationwide
endeavor to help keep children and families healthy during the influenza
season."
For the 2004-2005 influenza season, the CDC has encouraged the use of
intranasally administered, live, attenuated influenza vaccine (FluMist), if
available, for healthy, non-pregnant individuals ages 5 to 49 years, including
healthcare workers (except those who care for severely immunocompromised
patients in special care units) and individuals caring for children younger
than six months.
About Vaccines for Children
In an effort to increase childhood immunization levels, the VFC program
provides federally purchased vaccines to children who are enrolled in
Medicaid, or who are uninsured, underinsured, American Indian or Alaskan
Native. Many families in these groups cannot afford to pay for vaccines,
which can lead to low immunization levels and disease outbreaks within
communities.
"The VFC program is a vital source of vaccines for low-income children
across the United States," said Stanley L. Block, Jr., M.D., pediatrician at
Kentucky Pediatric Research. "We experienced last year how severe influenza
can be among even healthy children. Offering FluMist through this program as
an alternative flu vaccine option for future seasons could help prevent major
influenza-related illness and even save the lives of children who otherwise
wouldn't have the opportunity to get immunized. A nasal vaccine is most
appealing for many of our children."
As the CDC reported on June 18, 2004, a total of 152 children younger than
18 years of age died in the U.S. from influenza and its complications during
the 2003-2004 flu season. Seventy-one percent of these children had no high-
risk medical conditions, as defined by the CDC. These statistics are a
reminder that, despite the traditional emphasis on high-risk groups, healthy
children are also vulnerable to influenza each year -- and deaths can occur.
About FluMist
FluMist is the first live, attenuated influenza vaccine indicated for
active immunization for the prevention of disease caused by influenza A and B
viruses in healthy children and adolescents, 5 to 17 years of age, and healthy
adults, 18 to 49 years of age.
There are risks associated with all vaccines, including FluMist. FluMist
does not protect 100-percent of individuals vaccinated, or may not protect
against viral strains not represented in the vaccine. FluMist is
contraindicated in persons with hypersensitivity to any component of the
vaccine, including eggs; in children and adolescents receiving aspirin therapy
or aspirin-containing therapy; in individuals with a history of Guillain-Barre
syndrome; and in individuals with known or suspected immune deficiency. The
safety and efficacy of FluMist have not been established in pregnant women or
for patients with chronic underlying medical conditions, including asthma or
reactive airways disease; the vaccine should not be administered to these
patients. See Prescribing Information for indications and usage, dosage and
administration and safety information.
About MedImmune
MedImmune strives to provide better medicines to patients, new medical
options for physicians, rewarding careers to employees, and increased value to
shareholders. Dedicated to advancing science and medicine to help people live
better lives, the company is focused on the areas of pediatric infectious
diseases, cancer and inflammatory diseases. With approximately 1,900
employees worldwide, MedImmune is headquartered in Maryland. For more
information, visit the company's website at http://www.medimmune.com.
This announcement may contain, in addition to historical information,
certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Such
statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain
assumptions. Actual results could differ materially from those currently
anticipated as a result of a number of factors, including risks and
uncertainties discussed in the company's filings with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission. The company is developing several products for potential
future marketing. There can be no assurance that such development efforts
will succeed, that such products will receive required regulatory clearance or
that, even if such regulatory clearance were received, such products would
ultimately achieve commercial success.
SOURCE MedImmune, Inc.
-0- 10/28/2004
/CONTACT: Media: Jamie Lacey, +1-301-398-4035; Investors: Peter Vozzo,
+1-301-398-4358, or John Filler, +1-301-398-4086, all of MedImmune, Inc./
/Web site: http://www.medimmune.com/
(MEDI)
CO: MedImmune, Inc.; U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; CDC
ST: Maryland
IN: HEA MTC
SU: CHI
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